Mike Rizzo Vs. Cole Hamels: Nationals GM Calls Phillies Pitcher 'Chicken S---' For Beaning Bryce Harper

Nationals General Manager called Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cole Hamels chicken s--- for saying he intentionally hit Nationals prized prospect Bryce Harper during last night's Nationals-Phillies game.

I've never seen a more classless, gutless chicken s--- act in my 30 years of baseball, Rizzo told the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.

After the Phillies 9-3 victory, Hamels admitted to beaning the 19-year-old Harper on purpose.

It's just, 'Welcome to the big leagues,' Hamels said in the clubhouse after his outing, according to Comcast Philly. I was trying to hit him. I mean, I'm not going to deny it.

Phillies manager said Hamels was trying to go up and in on Harper, which is an acceptable way to pitch a tough hitter by going inside.

But Hamels said that was not his intention and he meant to drill Harper.

You know what, it's something I grew up watching, because that's kind of what happened, and I'm trying to continue the old baseball [tradition], Hamels said, according to Comcast Philly. Because I think some people kind of get away from it.

Rizzo ripped into Hamels over his remarks and protected his young player, Harper.

Cole Hamels says he's old school? He's the polar opposite of old school. He's fake tough. He thinks he's going to intimidate us after hitting our 19-year rookie who's eight games into the big leagues? He doesn't know who he's dealing with, Rizzo said.

The Nationals general manager said Hamels should be suspended one start over his antics.

With all the bounty [stuff] going on in professional football, the commissioner better act with a purpose on this thing, Rizzo said to the Washington Post. Players have a way of monitoring themselves. We're not here to hit people and hurt people.

He thinks he's sending a message to us of being a tough guy. He's sending the polar opposite message. He says he's being honest; well, I'm being honest. It was a gutless chicken [bleep] [bleeping] act. That was a fake-tough act. No one has ever accused Cole Hamels of being old school.

Cole Hamels was a trending topic on Twitter on Monday.

There's no excuse for Cole Hamels intentionally throwing at Bryce Harper, tweeted Craig Calcaterra, the self-proclaimed blogger-in-chief at NBCSports.com.

Brandon Castel, baseball beat writer for The-Ozone.net, said he wasn't shocked at Hamels' behavior.

Is there anyone even the least bit surprised Cole Hamels would be the one to plunk Bryce Harper on purpose? he tweeted.

What kind of punishment will Cole Hamels received for his beaning of Bryce Harper? Only time will tell